November 23, 2008

Detroit Bracing for Meltdown if Bailout is Denied

The city of Detroit has long been known as the center of the auto-industry. It is home to General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. But now the Big Three giants of the auto industry are facing bankruptcy and are looking to the government for a $25 billion bailout--a recovery plan the government has been opposed to thus far.

In Detroit, auto dealers and auto parts suppliers have seen drops in sales as high as 45 percent, with almost every company having to lay off large numbers of employees.

It is estimated that more than one million people are employed by the auto industry, according to the BBC. If one of the Big Three were to be forced into bankruptcy, it's thought that up to 500,000 jobs would be affected within the auto supply industry as well.

Business analysts in Detroit estimate that a collapse of the auto-industry could mean the end of Detroit as a city.

While almost no one in the city opposes the idea of a bailout, many agree that any measurements taken should include conditions that will lead to stricter improvemens for the auto industry.

November 15, 2008

Fires Rage Near Downtown L.A.

In what has become an eerily familiar scene, fires once again threatened the downtown area of Los Angeles Saturday with high winds and boiling temperatures only adding fuel to the flames.

CNN reported that the fires has spread along high-voltage lines along Interstate 5 corridor and threatened to cause rolling blackouts in the Los Angeles area.

The fire began in the Sylmar area near L.A. and has caused 4 firefighters to be injured and forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 citizens from their homes. Two other fires in the Southern California area had also caused several injuries and forced even more evacuations.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in reaction to the fires, while L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Villaraigosa also stated that by midday Saturday only 10% of the fire that had originated in Sylmar was contained.

Both power and water supplies whose lines run through the I-5 corridor were shut down at various times throughout the day to ensure continued safety of the firefighters battling the blaze.

Firefighters were taking several preventive methods to help stop the fire that included ground and air support and being "on the defense" by putting trucks and firefighters in position of where the fire is expected to go.

October 26, 2008

News Anchor Succumbs to Injuries

CNN affiliate KATV anchorwoman Anne Pressly died Saturday from injuries she sustained after a savage beating earlier in the week.

CNN reported that Pressly had been hospitalized and sedated in intensive care, suffering from brain swelling and broken bones. Though doctors had said her condition seemed to be improving yesterday, Pressly took a turn for the worse Saturday night.

Her family was with her in her final moments, both grieving over the loss of Pressly and finding comfort in the fact that she was with "her heavenly father".

Pressly, 26, is thought to have been the victim of a burglary, police thought; however, Guy Cannady, her father, seemed to think the attack in which Pressly suffered severe trauma to her head and face, was more than random. He cited the brutality of the beating as evidence for more than just a simple burglary.

Fox News reported that Pressly was discovered Monday morning in her home by her mother after failing to answer her normal 4 a.m. wake-up call. Pressly reached national audiences earlier this week in a small role in director Oliver Stone's new movie "W" in which she gives a favorable report of President Bush's "Mission Accomplished" speech.

KATV opened its nightly newscast Saturday with a seven minute tribute to the fallen anchor.

October 19, 2008

Powell Endorses Obama

The political world was abuzz Sunday with the announcement by former Secretary of State Colin Powell that he supports Ill. Sen. Barack Obama for president.

Powell, who served under the Republican Bush Administration, cited Obama's ability to inspire and his being a transformational figure as reasons for deciding to vote for the Democrat in November, CNN reported. Powell also voiced his dislike for the negative tone of Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

McCain responded by saying that it was "no surprise" his longtime friend had decided to go with the Obama camp this year. He added he was pleased with the hundreds of other retired generals and admirals who do support his campaign.

Fox News reported that a big factor in Powell's decision related to each candidates stance on the economy. Powell was quoted as saying he felt Obama seemed more secure in his plan, while McCain appeared to be unsteady and unsure to him.

Powell's endorsement of Obama had been rumored in the months leading up to his announcement Sunday.

October 13, 2008

Wildfires Hit California...Again

In what is quickly becoming routine news, wildfires broke out in Southern California over the weekend.

Just 20 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, firefighters were battling a blaze that had torched 750 acres, destroyed two homes, and forced 1,200 people to evacuate the region, Fox News reports. The fire was 20% contained as of Sunday, with a local animal reserve having been evacuated and helicopters and planes assisting the firefighters by dropping water over the blaze.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation.

Meanwhile, a second wildfire was declared contained near Napa Valley. Though this second blaze had destroyed over 300 acres of land and threatened the numerous wineries located near Napa Valley, fire officials were confident the fire had been successfully halted as of Sunday, CNN reports.

That fire was caused when a rock struck by a car ignited some brush. The evacuation orders for the Napa Valley region were lifted as of Sunday, allowing 100 people to return to their homes.

October 6, 2008

O.J. Simpson Found Guilty

Just 13 years after hearing the words "not guilty" when charged with double homicide, former football star O.J. Simpson listened to a jury declare him guilty on 12 different charges including armed robbery and kidnapping.

Simpson now faces life behind bars depending on the sentence he will receive now that he's been found guilty. He is sentenced to be scheduled on Dec. 5 according to CNN. The jury reached its decision after deliberating for 13 hours in a case based on accusations that Simpson had used force to retrieve sports memorabilia that he claimed had been stolen from him.

Simpson will spend now until Dec. 5 isolated from other prisoners for his own safety, being allowed to see only family members and a few friends on a special list, Fox News reports.

In the meantime, Simpson will focus on filing an appeal of the guilty verdict and will be seeking a new trial.

September 29, 2008

Bailout Plan Gains Support

The federal government has unveiled plans to implement a $700 billion bailout plan to save several dying financial giants.

Key members of Congress have stated that an emergency proposal to save the ailing financial industry has been successfully transformed into a bill. Not only that, Fox News reports, but it is likely the bill will be passed by President Bush soon.

The bill will give Washington more power in their ability to control money in Wall Street as they will be buying up massive amounts of devalued assets and gaining management of said assets.

The House of Representatives will be voting on the bill as soon as Monday with the Senate soon to follow, according to CNN. The bill is being rushed in order to ensure the survival of the financial industry and allow for the almost stand-still credit market to resume.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., believes that a majority of legislators on both sides will support the bill. Other members of Congress has voiced their disagreement and lack of want in terms of approving the bill; however, they feel it is a necessary evil to help maintain the economy.

September 22, 2008

Ex-Blink 182 Drummer Burned in Fatal Crash

A plane carrying two of Hollywood's A-listers crashed on Saturday killing four and leaving two critically injured.

The punk rock band Blink 182's former drummer Travis Barker, 32, and the ex-fiancee of Nicole Richie, and popular discjockey DJ AM (real name Adam Goldstein), 35, were the only survivors of the accident. The New York Times reported that those killed were Chris Baker, 29, Charles Still, 25, pilot Sarah Lemmon, and co-pilot James Bland, all of California.

The BBC said that Barker and Goldstein had been playing a show in Columbia, South Carolina, earlier under the name TRVSDJ-AM. Shortly after taxiing down the runway the plane experience what authorities are guessing was a tire blowout before coasting off the runway and erupting into flames.

While both Barker and Goldstein are expected to recover, doctors have said it is likely to take up to a year. Barker suffered second- and third-degree burns on the lower half of his body while Goldstein's hands, torso, and head sustained the majority of his injuries.

September 14, 2008

Obama Raises $66 Million

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's camp recently reported he had raised $66 million in August to spend on his campaign. The funds set a new record for the candidate, beating out the $55 million he was able to raise in February, Fox News reports.

Obama was able to reach the astronomical figure with the help of 500,000 new donors said campaign spokesperson Bill Burton.

While Obama has declined aid from public financing, his rival, Arizona senator and Republican candidate John McCain, continues to campaign with the limited budget of $84 million that public financing allows.